Business and Community Development Newsroom

Posted on: July 25, 2012

Overland Park named newest Kansas Main Street city

The Kansas Department of Commerce announced today the selection of Overland Park as the newest Kansas Main Street city, bringing the total number of designated Kansas Main Street cities in the state to 25.

“I congratulate Overland Park on their selection as a designated Kansas Main Street community,” said Pat George, Commerce Secretary. “The community demonstrated both the need and the ability to successfully implement the Main Street philosophy, and the Department of Commerce looks forward to working with all the stakeholders in Overland Park as they focus on economic and community development in their downtown.”

The Department’s Business and Community Development Division administers the Kansas Main Street program. Main Street is a self-help, technical assistance program that targets preservation and revitalization of downtown districts through the development of a comprehensive strategy based on four points: organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring. Communities become designated through a competitive application process. Workshops are held each spring for communities interested in seeking Main Street designation.

The Kansas Main Street program is affiliated with the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. While there are no federal funds provided directly to Main Street communities, designated cities are eligible for the state-funded Incentives Without Walls program. The intent of the IWW program is to create or stimulate private investment in designated Kansas Main Street downtown areas. Overland Park will be eligible for IWW funds.

For more information on the Kansas Main Street program visit http://ksmainstreet.kansascommerce.com/ or contact Mary M. Helmer, Kansas Main Street state coordinator, at (785) 296-0091 or mhelmer@kansascommerce.com.